Throughout my high school education, I was vastly interested in the engineering and technology courses that my school had to offer. I excelled in the problem-solving environment and enjoyed the challenge of working with a team to create something new. But I realized that I didn't love or succeed in the real world context of these jobs. I knew I loved math - and still do - so I jumped on becoming a mathematician. But I wasn't great at that either. So, I looked at becoming a math teacher and suddenly I had found my home. I realized that math is so much more than adding and multiplying and dealing with variables. Those problem-solving tasks and critical thinking skills I had spent years establishing were quickly coming to the surface. I noticed that I got the same satisfaction from solving a difficult equation as I did from completing my Rube Goldberg machine. Plus, I got to fall in love with watching students have those 'a-ha!' moments when they finally understand whatever mathematical concept I've thrown at them. Being a teacher has many challenges. Most of those notably being a lack of pay compared to the work produced and the use of personal funds for classroom and student needs. This career requires me to show up every day at 100% operating capacity. This award would serve to take away some of the personal financial stress that I bring into the classroom. It allows me to be there, at 100%, each day for my kids. Working in a low-income school district, I have students who are more concerned about where their next meal comes from than they are about math. When I can show up and help them get some of those needs met, it allows them to focus on school. I have seen many students come through as very bright, STEM interested, and motivated to continue into a career in STEM. But, their environmental circumstances quickly snuff out those dreams because they cannot afford to be focused on these things. I want to be able to pour my heart and mind and finances into helping disadvantaged students achieve their dreams. I want to love and support these kids as my own. I want to see their lights continue to shine when they realize they love math or science. This award helps to take my gripes out of that equation. Spending each day in the mathematics classroom has taught me that these kids will not remember how to find the least common multiple, but they will remember that someone showed up for them, had their back, and believed in them.